This stirring music first
appeared as a harp tune published in 1784 in Edward Jones ('Bardd
y Brenin')'s Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards. Its
first appearance as a song was in Gems of Welsh Melody arranged by
John Owen ('Owain Alaw'), published in 1860, with a second edition
in 1873. The words most usually associated with the tune today are
those by John Oxenford and Ceiriog.

Thou, who noble Cambria wrongest,
Know that freedom's cause is strongest,
Freedom's courage lasts the longest,
Ending but with death!
Freedom countless hosts can scatter,
Freedom stoutest mail can shatter,
Freedom thickest walls can batter,
Fate is in her breath.
See, they now are flying!
Dead are heap'd with dying!
Over might hath triumph'd right,
Our land to foes denying;
Upon their soil we never sought them,
Love of conquest hither brought them,
But this lesson we have taught them,
"Cambria ne'er can yield!"